Becoming a Lawyer in France for a Foreigner

Becoming a lawyer in France when coming from abroad is not impossible, but access remains strictly regulated by French legislative texts. The key references are Articles 99 and 100 of the decree of 27 November 1991, which precisely specify the conditions of admission according to the geographical origin of the legal training. The logic differs depending on whether one comes from a European Union state or a country outside this area. Here is everything to know to become a lawyer in France for a foreigner.

Foreign lawyer and member of the European Union: Article 99 Exam

Article 99 of decree no. 91-1197 defines the specific rules concerning the recognition of the professional skills of persons who have already obtained the status of lawyer in a country of the European Union or in a State attached to the Schengen Area, as well as in the Swiss Confederation.

Which lawyers fall under Article 99?

Article 99 is intended for those who are able to demonstrate their registration with a Bar located within the EU or in Switzerland. It therefore concerns professionals who have already been admitted in their country of origin and wish to settle in a French Bar.

What is the procedure to take the Article 99 exam?

The process begins with sending an application, by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt, addressed to the President of the National Bar Council (CNB). After receipt, the CNB has three months to decide. The response is communicated within fifteen days to the candidate, to the Attorney General of the Paris Court of Appeal, as well as to the chosen Regional Lawyer Training Centre (CRFPA). If the decision is not satisfactory, a period of one month is open to contest it.

Practising as a lawyer in France for a foreigner: The mandatory exam under Article 99

Any candidate concerned must take an aptitude exam organised by the selected CRFPA. A summons is sent at least one month before the start of the tests. The content of the tests depends on the academic background and professional experience of each candidate. The CNB then sets between one and four subjects to be presented. These subjects are assessed during twenty-minute oral exams each. When the CNB imposes the maximum of four subjects, a four-hour written test is added, covering the subject considered as the main one. At the end of all the tests, an average is calculated. A score at least equal to 10 out of 20 validates the exam and allows the candidate to request registration in the desired French Bar.

European Union lawyer in France: the file to be compiled

A complete file must be assembled, in two copies. It includes proof of identity, certified copies of diplomas and a report written in French.

Foreign lawyer and not belonging to the European Union: Article 100 Exam

Article 100 of decree no. 91-1197 sets out the specific procedures for lawyers from countries that do not belong to the EU, the Schengen Area, or a Swiss canton. It describes the conditions to be fulfilled in order to apply for registration in a French Bar. Here is everything to know to become a lawyer in France for a foreigner who does not belong to the European Union.

Which lawyers fall under Article 100?

Article 100 concerns lawyers registered with a foreign Bar at the time of their application. It does not apply to those with the status of stateless person or refugee. The country of origin must also offer French lawyers equivalent conditions of practice, otherwise the application is inadmissible.

Article 100 exam: what is the procedure to follow?

The procedure follows the same logic as that of Article 99. The candidate sends a registered letter to the CNB, which renders its decision within a maximum of two months after receipt.

Article 100 tests: oral and written

The access path for a foreign lawyer outside the EU is more demanding. The test consists of two written and two oral exams. The written exams include the drafting of a conclusion in civil matters for three hours and the drafting of a legal consultation in commercial law, labour law, administrative law or criminal law, also for three hours.

The oral exams consist of a twenty-minute presentation, which may concern criminal, administrative, or civil procedure, or even a topic on the judicial system in France.

Finally, the candidate is subject to a fifteen-minute interview on the regulation of the legal profession and on its ethical or deontological rules.

The exam is generally organised by the HEDAC of Versailles or the EFB of Paris. The summons is sent at least one month before the tests. As with Article 99, a general average is calculated, and a score at least equal to 10 out of 20 validates the exam. The foreign lawyer can then request registration in a French Bar.

All required supporting documents

The file must also be submitted in duplicate. Among the mandatory documents are proof of identity as well as the details of post-secondary studies followed, accompanied by the corresponding diplomas.

Article 100 exam: how to prepare well?

Preparing for the Article 100 exam requires extremely methodical organisation. The tests, heavier than those provided for in Article 99, combine in-depth legal drafting and mastery of French procedures. Training in drafting conclusions and legal consultations is an essential step. Oral preparation is based on the ability to argue in a structured and clear manner on various legal topics, with particular attention to ethical rules.

Conclusion

Accessing the profession of lawyer in France when one has been trained abroad remains entirely possible, but requires going through well-defined steps. The rules differ depending on whether one comes from the European Union or from a third country. But in all cases, the process requires rigour, preparation and an impeccable file. Articles 99 and 100 of the decree of 27 November 1991 set a precise and strict framework that conditions admission, in order to preserve the level of requirement of the legal profession in France.